Nine Inch Nails sidestep ‘failing’ online ticket market

Rock band Nine Inch Nails is turning its back on online ticketing, claiming that the digital revolution has “failed”.

The group, formed in the 1980s and still led by Trent Reznor, blasted the effect of resellers as it announced that only a limited quantity of tickets will be sold online for an upcoming North American tour.

Nine Inch Nails will sell the vast majority of tickets via physical vendors in host cities in a bid to avoid abuse by online ticket touts. The band has also made clear that any tickets being offered via resale sites are fake.

“The promise of a world made better by computers and online connectivity has failed us in many ways, particularly when it comes to ticketing,” the group said on its official website.

“Everything about the process sucks and everyone loses except the reseller. We’ve decided to try something different that will also likely suck, but in a different way.”

The ‘physical world presale’ will be held on May 19 in most cities, with the group injecting no shortage of sarcasm as it detailed how fans brought up on online sales can purchase tickets.

There has been a mixed reaction from fans, with many that don’t live close to venues unhappy that they may have to travel a long distance to make the physical sale.

I like this idea but for people who are far from any venue it will cost a fortune. Good for you for taking a stand against the boys and scalpers though. Something needs to be done.

The Cold and Black and Infinite Tour will run from September to December, with stop-offs at venues including New York’s Radio City Music Hall and the Palladium in Los Angeles.

The band said: “You (an actual human being) show up at the box office, interact with the ticket seller (another actual human being) and purchase up to four tickets that will actually be handed to you on the spot. The tickets will not be available online or anywhere else before or during that day. All seats (including the best seats) will be available first come, first serve.”

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